Senate Resolution Honors The Courant's 250 Years

The U.S. Senate passes a resolution honoring the Hartford Courant #Courant250

The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution honoring the Hartford Courant for 250 years of continuous publication.

The resolution was introduced by Connecticut's two senators—Sen. Chris Murphy and Sen. Richard Blumenthal—just a few weeks before The Courant celebrates its 250th birthday.

Senate Resolution 553 notes that the first edition of The Courant was printed on Oct. 29, 1764 and that it is the oldest, continuously published newspaper in the United States.

The Hartford Courant "gave voice to a newfound yearning for freedom as the most circulated newspaper in the colonies during the throes of the Revolutionary War," and that it "demonstrated leadership in actively supporting the presidential efforts of President Abraham Lincoln and his attempts to end slavery during the Civil War," the resolution says.

The resolution, part of the Sept. 17 Congressional Record notes The Courant's two Pulitzer Prizes, the "significant and positive impact" of the newspaper and "acknowledges the importance of a vibrant free press to democracy."

Sen. Murphy said The Courant "does the people of Connecticut proud."

"I have such fond childhood memories sitting around the breakfast table with my parents as they read The Courant each morning—that's a shared experience families across Connecticut are lucky to have," he said. "It's the paper I grew up reading and its coverage inspires me to fight harder for the people of Connecticut every day."

Murphy said it passed because his senate colleagues "understand the value of strong journalism to our society."

Sen. Blumenthal said "from the early days of our birth as a nation, through wars, assassinations and cultural upheaval, The Hartford Courant has been a leading and enlightening voice, speaking truth to power."

"The Courant's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative work and daily coverage of public meetings, local campaigns and community events have kept millions of readers informed of the decisions and events that have shaped our history and lives," he said.

"Two-hundred and fifty years from now, we may not recognize the kind of ink, screen or paper on which our news is delivered, we will surely still rely on the same kind of tough, honest and robust daily reporting we expect and need from the Hartford Courant."